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Game Commander 2
by Bob "Groucho" MarksProduct: Game Commander 2
Version: 2.0
Category: Voice Control
Publisher: Mindmaker, Inc.
Developer: Sontage Interactive
Release Date: Q4 2000 (Released)
Minimum Spec: Windows 95/98 games
Recommended Spec: Compatible Sound Card
Demo: Free Trial
Article Date: November 13th, 2000
Color Me Amazed
Ive stumbled on a complete rarity. Hold on to your helmets, sim jockeys; this little revelation is going to shock the turbine oil right out of you: Game Commander 2 works right out of the box. Really! No patches, no apologies, no BS. Youve gotta love a game utility---hell, any computer program---with bragging rights like that.
In The Beginning
For the three of our readers who are only now crawling out of their Y2K bomb shelters, the Game Commander series is voice-recognition software that allows the user to "key" commands verbally. Allow me to translate that into terms even Quake players can comprehend: You talk to it and it does stuff.
When Sontage Interactive released Game Commander back in 1998, thousands of sim geeks were finally given a good reason to talk to themselves. It was a true breakthrough: a virtual programmable keypad for your mouth. The interface was a bit of a kludge, and its use precluded using voice chat software; but it was voice recognition software that actually worked.
The original, iron--age Game Commander interface.
The next iteration, Game Commander MX, allowed the use of voice chat software like Roger Wilco and BattleCom. This was quite the welcome addition for online players. The interface was still fairly steam-age; a tiny and very non-Windows looking, well, window that made editing the command list a bit challenging. With command lists (called "templates") created by other users available on the Game Commander website, the tactic of leeching off of someone elses hard work made for an easy work-around for that. It became obvious pretty quickly that as an addition to the serious simmers HOTAS, Game Commander had become as indispensable as a throttle or a decent set of rudder pedals.
Enter Game Commander2
Steve Jobs' revenge? Game Commander 2 sports a swoopy new launch module.
Enter the new, improved reason to look like an idiot talking to yourself (well, thats what my wife says anyway): Game Commander 2 (GC2). While retaining the excellent voice recognition and chat compatibility of its predecessors, GC2 also sports a cleaned-up interface and a couple of other goodies. In other words, its the best voice recognition addition you can nail to your HOTAS.
There is a challenger to Game Commanders reign as the grande fromage of voice recognition utilities: the Microsoft Game Voice. In flexibility, user friendliness, and plain old-fashioned bang-for-the-buck GC2, in my opinion, beats the MS hardware product like a rented mule. Want some reasons? Okay, here's nine:
- GC2 doesnt tie up a USB port.
- GC2 does not require voice training (provided you speak American English) for the templates to work. If you speak with a heavy accent, or another language entirely, you have the flexibility of assigning your voice to the commands through training. The Game Commander guys use Klingon as an example, but I refuse to believe that anyone gets THAT geeky. If you do not speak English, the MS Game Voice may be your way to go, as it sports multi-language support . . . but I doubt it will support Klingon.
The LVA-7330 microphone. I sourced it for my choice of mic, and Mindmaker/Sontage included it with the GC2 boxed set. Great minds think alike. Or Something.
- You can use any microphone you like with the GC2. I have even heard of guys who modify David Clark flight headsets to work with GC; though these people must have a serious masochistic streak. The boxed version of GC2 comes with the Labtec LVA-7330 mic, a collar mounted version that allows you to wear your headphones of choice or none at all. I bought this exact mic for the original GC for just these reasons; these Labtec mics are highly recommended by yours truly should you choose to download GC2 instead. The MS Game Voice, on the other hand, requires you to wear the cheesy and uncomfortable Plantronics "Crappy Sound" headphone/mic combo. Its bad enough that you are talking to yourself---why look like a reject from Space: 1999 while youre at it?
- GC2, when left running in the background, automatically loads the template list for that application. And, since GC2 supports global Windows commands, those applications could include any program: Internet Explorer, Excel, or even Quicken. MS Game Voice needs to be preset to the app you are using it on.
- GC2 co-exists with commonly used voice chat software like Roger Wilco or BattleCom. Hey most of your buddies are NOT going to buy a MS Game Voice just because YOU did . . . especially after they read this.
- Since GC2 is a software-based solution, you can download it from http://www.gamecommander.com, thereby saving yourself a few coins by avoiding the taxman. Its cheaper than the MS Game Voice, too. Duh.
- Voice command macros for GC2 can be up to 256 keystrokes. While I dont think that Id like to play a game that requires such a carpal-tunnel inducing command, MS Game Voice chokes on anything near that complicated.
- Since you can program your PTT (Push To Talk) switch for voice chat programs to your HOTAS, you can talk without taking your hands off of the controls. The need to let go of a throttle or whatever to yell at your multiplayer wingman has always struck me as one of the biggest idiocies of the Game Voice. Well, that and the next reason.
- GC2, as I stated at the beginning of this review, actually works. Consistently. Load it up, plug in the microphone, and use it. The "puck" of my MS Game Voice, on the other hand, now keeps my office door from slamming shut when it gets breezy.
The new, mondo improved GC2 editing interface: GC Studio.
Not convinced yet?
GC2 is also ahead of its predecessors in command editing, with a much-improved interface. The "GC Studio" editor has much more of a Windows feel to it. There are a few new tricks up the sleeve of GC2, also. The ability to select a sound signifying whether a spoken command was rejected or accepted is a very trick feature. An auto-fire feature that allows you to select when to start and stop a repeated command is available, and an easier key entry sequence help top off the improved GC Studio.
GC2 comes preloaded with a few templates, including command sets for MS Flight Sim 98, FS2K, and an excellent Janes F/A-18 template. This last template, originally authored by Chris Helmsetter and edited by the Sontage team, is truly a piece of work. In addition to the usual suite of flight operation commands (tail hook, emcon, weapon cycle, etc.), Chris has programmed all of the over 150 distinct communication commands into this template. To me, voice comms and voice comm control is critical to immersion, and it is precisely in this area of immersive comms where the GC series truly shines. If I want my number five in my flight to only use one precious AIM-120 on a hapless Bear and not his whole quiver of stores, Id MUCH rather say "Five Use One Guided" than become prematurely arthritic by spanning the keyboard for {tab}{3}{7}{5}{6}.
While GC2 is the zoot new version, owners of earlier versions need not despair. All templates for GC and GC MX are importable into GC2, so forward compatibility is assured. There are special upgrade deals available to the GC faithful also. If you purchased GC or GC MX, GC2 can be had for a piddly $15.00; if you bought one of those products after September 1 of this year, its free. The non-upgrade price for the boxed version is $39.99---not a bad deal considering it includes the aforementioned Labtec microphone. The software can be downloaded for $29.99. Cheap.
There you have it---several reasons why you are a fool for not having GC2. Looking for immersion? Do what I do; swallow some pride and talk to yourself. At least Game Commander wont talk back. If it does, dont bother with looking up the FAQ on GCs website. See a good psychiatrist.
Game Commander 2
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